Lewiston-Auburn 
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A new apartment complex still under construction on Mount Auburn Avenue was ablaze late Sunday night.
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A new apartment complex still under construction on Mount Auburn Avenue was ablaze late Sunday night.
Jim Rodrigue of Lewiston lifts off in his balloon Friday evening during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Rodrigue was the first pilot who decided to fly Friday evening.
Keith Sproul sits directly on top of a fuel tank Friday morning as he takes a tethered ride over the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The Balloon Meister, who is responsible for making safety decisions, canceled the morning's launch after thick fog inhibited visibility. Typically, balloons are only launched in the early morning or at dusk when air currents are most stable.
Mark Fritze fires the burners on his hot air balloon "Dogonit" on Friday morning at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.
"Alien Rocket," one of the 2024 specialty shape balloons, makes its first appearance Friday morning at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston next to the black and multicolored "Redeemed" balloon. Balloons were either "stood up" or tethered during the morning's launch.
Jim Rodrigue of Lewiston lifts the basket of his balloon Friday evening during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Rodrigue was the first pilot who decided to fly Friday evening.
Randy Lee, in blue, confers with fellow pilot Mark Fritze, in black, about wind conditions Friday evening after letting up a pi ball during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. A pi ball is a small helium-filled balloon that helps pilots determine wind conditions.
"Spyderpig," one of the 2024 specialty shape balloons, makes its first appearance Friday morning at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Balloons were either "stood up" or tethered during the morning's launch.
A crown line keeps control of the balloon while it is still on the ground Friday during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.
Jim Rodrigue, far left, gives the disappointing news to Chip Morrison, left, his son Brett, grandson Aaron, and granddaughter Sara that the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival balloon launch had been canceled Friday morning due to visibility concerns. The Morrisons had traveled from Maryland to go on a balloon ride and visit family.
Ali Szabo, left, David Stewart, and Rich Lorenz share a laugh while folding up a hot air balloon Friday at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The three, who live scattered around the country, met through ballooning and crew for hot air balloon pilot Keith Sproul.
Bruce Byberg, center, and his crew inflate the Re/Max hot air balloon for display Friday morning during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. The Balloon Meister, who is responsible for making safety decisions, canceled the morning's launch after thick fog inhibited visibility. Typically, balloons are only launched in the early morning or at dusk when air currents are most stable.
Derald Young of Dixfield, Randy Lee, and Mark Fritze watch the pi ball Friday evening during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston A pi ball is a small helium-filled balloon that hot air balloon pilots use to gauge wind conditions further up. Most pilots determined that the conditions were too windy to fly.
Jim Rodrigue of Lewiston flies away in his balloon Friday evening during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Rodrigue was the first pilot who decided to fly Friday evening.
Jim Rodrigue of Lewiston flies away in his balloon Friday evening during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Rodrigue was the first pilot who decided to fly Friday evening.
Joel Jones, left, attaches clips to the top vent of his hot air balloon "Redeemed" Friday during a tethered launch at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Heather Bourassa, right, and Chris Stevens, center, assist as members of the flight crew. The top vent is an essential control mechanism for managing the balloon's altitude; by opening it, the pilot can release some hot air, causing the balloon to cool down and descend.
Mark Fritze fires the burners on his hot air balloon "Dogonit" Friday morning at the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.
Jim Rodrigue of Lewiston lifts off in his balloon Friday evening during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Rodrigue was the first pilot who decided to fly Friday evening.
A balloon flies over the Lewiston during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston.
Jim Rodrigue of Lewiston, center, gets ready for lift-off in his balloon Friday evening during the Lewiston-Auburn Balloon Festival at Simard-Payne Memorial Park in Lewiston. Rodrigue was the first pilot who decided to fly Friday evening.